Getting a poopy smell after a couple days travel?

beeryboats · 07-31-2019, 12:54 AM

Hi All,
We bought our first motor coach last year, a Thor Windsport 29, and are on a learning curve. We drove from Indiana to Colorado and two days into the trip it started to smell. The toilet that is. We quickly dumped even thought it was only half (or less) full. And we had no more issues. It happened again last weekend! It was about 3/4 full and did not want to fight our way through the campground against the exit flow to dump. So we decided to do it on the way home. We were at the Mid Ohio Indy car race, awesome! By Richmond Indiana I couldn't stand it and had to dump it out. Neither my trailer or fifth wheel had this issue. What is the deal? The toilet bowl has water in it and I see no leaks at the base of the toilet. It's not as bad as an out house in the sun, but you can smell it. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Jay

JamieGeek · 07-31-2019, 01:00 AM

Look inside the cabinet under the bathroom sink: You may see what is called an air admittance valve. Make sure its screwed on tight (it is a one-way valve that lets air into the waste system but not out). It is also possible that there is something wrong with the valve and it may need to be replaced.

SANDDOG · 07-31-2019, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beeryboats

Hi All,
We bought our first motor coach last year, a Thor Windsport 29, and are on a learning curve. We drove from Indiana to Colorado and two days into the trip it started to smell. The toilet that is. We quickly dumped even thought it was only half (or less) full. And we had no more issues. It happened again last weekend! It was about 3/4 full and did not want to fight our way through the campground against the exit flow to dump. So we decided to do it on the way home. We were at the Mid Ohio Indy car race, awesome! By Richmond Indiana I couldn't stand it and had to dump it out. Neither my trailer or fifth wheel had this issue. What is the deal? The toilet bowl has water in it and I see no leaks at the base of the toilet. It's not as bad as an out house in the sun, but you can smell it. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Jay

. One possibility could be , the Odor is happening while you’re parked and leaving the black dump valve and the gray valve open at the same time. black valve should be shut prior to dumping. I leave gray valve open to sewer when parked

RichS · 07-31-2019, 10:01 AM

We keep all valves closed until we dump. We also use a treatment called HAPPY Camper. It is an organic enzyme that has no perfume smell and it stops all smell in the black tank. So far it has worked very well.

Bob Denman · 07-31-2019, 11:58 AM

Was the overhead air vent in the bathroom open? It's possible that if the wind is blowing a little bit (and the seal in toilet bowl leaks): it could draw the gases from the tank upward into the room...

pavemike · 07-31-2019, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichS

We keep all valves closed until we dump. We also use a treatment called HAPPY Camper. It is an organic enzyme that has no perfume smell and it stops all smell in the black tank. So far it has worked very well.

I second the Happy Camper treatment. We started getting a leftover smell about 6 months in, especially while in storage during the summer. Read about Happy Camper, tried it and never had another smell. Works great for us.

Lt Keefer · 08-01-2019, 12:06 AM

Were do you get the Happy Camper? Looked on Amazon and it's not available.

pavemike · 08-01-2019, 12:25 AM

Here you go.

https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Campers...s%2C163&sr=8-3

pavemike · 08-01-2019, 12:26 AM

Guess we left out the "s". Sorry. Give it a try. It last a long time, don't have to use much. Good luck.

beeryboats · 08-01-2019, 01:39 AM

I'll look for the check valve under the sink. It's strange that the roof vent is closed, it only happens after being on the road for a while, and there is water in the bowl. I don't think it's from the gray tank either.

SANDDOG · 08-01-2019, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichS

We keep all valves closed until we dump. We also use a treatment called HAPPY Camper. It is an organic enzyme that has no perfume smell and it stops all smell in the black tank. So far it has worked very well.

Yes I wish I could leave the gray valve shut, wife loves to use the washer and dryer which requires the gray to be open as we only have a 40 gallon holding tank.

Miramar Owner · 08-01-2019, 01:45 AM

I found my issue was simple to fix...difficult to find. It was suggested by Thor customer service to get on the roof, remove the vent cap and check the space between the vent pipe and the outer tube that contains the pipe. I found there to be no sealant between the two. Occasionally the black tank fumes would flow back down between the 2 pipes and get into the coach. I filled the gap with silicone caulk and have had no further problems.

SANDDOG · 08-01-2019, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beeryboats

I'll look for the check valve under the sink. It's strange that the roof vent is closed, it only happens after being on the road for a while, and there is water in the bowl. I don't think it's from the gray tank either.

There needs to be a good amount of water in the toilet bowl not just a little

SANDDOG · 08-01-2019, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beeryboats

I'll look for the check valve under the sink. It's strange that the roof vent is closed, it only happens after being on the road for a while, and there is water in the bowl. I don't think it's from the gray tank either.

. Just so you No most RVs don’t have a P-trap for the shower only the the sink’s, this is why if you leave the black and the gray open together you can get the sewer smell from the black, just saying .
Of course I don’t know how yours is plumb

Patrick · 08-01-2019, 02:49 AM

I agree with JamieGeek. The vent is the culprit. Remove it, clean it, check it for serviceability, and reinstall. Cheapest option, and I've seen a few rigs with the same problem.

Popfla · 08-01-2019, 01:10 PM

Not to make light of the problem, but you might also want to limit those trips to Taco Bell.

Bob Denman · 08-01-2019, 01:24 PM

I agree...

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1564665868

beeryboats · 08-08-2019, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miramar Owner

I found my issue was simple to fix...difficult to find. It was suggested by Thor customer service to get on the roof, remove the vent cap and check the space between the vent pipe and the outer tube that contains the pipe. I found there to be no sealant between the two. Occasionally the black tank fumes would flow back down between the 2 pipes and get into the coach. I filled the gap with silicone caulk and have had no further problems.

Thanks! I bet that's it. It only happens when you start rolling down the road a while. Either that or I get one of those weather vane vents that pull the fumes out with the wind.
j

Golfbum18 · 08-10-2019, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miramar Owner

I found my issue was simple to fix...difficult to find. It was suggested by Thor customer service to get on the roof, remove the vent cap and check the space between the vent pipe and the outer tube that contains the pipe. I found there to be no sealant between the two. Occasionally the black tank fumes would flow back down between the 2 pipes and get into the coach. I filled the gap with silicone caulk and have had no further problems.

DId you happen to snap any pics while you had the cap off to show what you did??

Metalman · 08-10-2019, 08:01 PM

Over the years we've had problems with black water tank smell at times.
Things that we found to contribute to the smell are:

Full black water tank.
Back water tank left too long without emptying
High ambient temperature
Only one application of odor eliminating chemical
Driving with the front windows open
Bad seal (no water) in the toilet

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